Commissioner Mike Kohler used his commissioner comments at the March 5 Escambia Board of County Commissioners meeting to publicly address his widely reported conflict with State Representative Michelle Salzman—offering both an apology and an explanation of what caused the conflict. Hofberger defended Salzman for funding and supporting “every single public safety request,” without mentioning the South Navy Boulevard project.
- In the end, nothing was resolved. The feud will continue to smolder.
An Apology — With Context
Kohler opened by acknowledging his role in the public spat but made clear he wasn’t offering an unconditional mea culpa.
- “I want to take a moment to apologize for my role in the public conflict between myself and Representative Salzman,” he said. “While it doesn’t excuse my comment, I want to provide the context that motivated me to make the statement.”
South Navy Boulevard Project
Kohler told the board that roughly two weeks before the meeting, several state lawmakers alerted him that Salzman had grown angry after learning the House had funded the South Navy Boulevard Improvement Project in its budget.
- “Multiple legislators confirmed that Salzman is actively working to cut the funding even now,” Kohler said, “and tell me that she wants to cut it because of some personal animosity she has towards me.”
For Kohler, the project is a matter of community honor. “Every veteran being laid to rest at Barrancas travels that road,” he said, “and it’s important to me and our community to honor their sacrifice.”…